The Dance of the Labyrinth

Most authors seem certain that there existed dances related to both the Medieval labyrinth and the Cretan labyrinth. Some even think that a dance might be at the origin of the Cretan labyrinth's design. Hypothetical choreographies have been proposed as possible or even probable. In spite of the diagrams and drawings submitted, the proposed choreographies don't seem to be feasible.

I submit a new one, which is perfectly feasible.

It refers to the hand-drawn version of the Cretan labyrinth.

My proposal is new mainly in that the steps follow the lines representing the partition wall of the labyrinth, not the path of the labyrinth. Of course, it has no pretention to historical authenticity, but it might adorn in a convincing way the beginning of some labyrinth celebrations. Furthermore, it emphasizes the magic of the trace left on the ground by the passage of the dancers, trace which first becomes the line of a drawing, and then the wall of a labyrinth.

The dance is executed by marking on the ground the lines of the walls, so that, at the end, the drawing of the labyrinth is left on the ground and can be used as a labyrinth. That can be done easily on the sand or in the snow. On a hard surface, a means has to be found to leave a trace of the passage of the dancers (masking tape, paint, sand, powder...). Especially on a soft surface, care must be taken to give sufficient width to the lanes so that the walking of the labyrinth can be done without coming too near to the lines traced by the dancers and thereby confuse the drawing.

Four dancers are necessary. The center is marked (or determined in some way) and orientated. All four dancers are placed near the center, with their backs towards the center; each one is facing one of the four directions corresponding to the four arms of the initial cross. The first dancer corresponds to the "head" of the cross; the second, to the right arm of the cross; the third, to the left arm of the cross; the fourth one, to the "foot" of the cross.

1 3 2 4

3 1 2   4

1 2 3   4

The first movement is the tracing of the cross. All four dancers walk and trace simultaneously the four arms of the cross and stop.

The first dancer then walks his first curve and stops next to the second dancer.

Dancers 1 and 2 walk together the next curve and stop.

1   3   2       4

1 2   4 3

Dancer 2 finishes alone his last curve and stops.

Dancer 3 walks his first curve and stops next to dancer 4.

1		2
	3 4

Dancers 3 and 4 walk together the next curve and stop.

1		2
	3 4

Dancer 4 walks his last curve and stops. The labyrinth is finished.

The comprehension of the sequence of movements will be facilitated by referring to the animated description of the hand-tracing of the labyrinth.

The beginning and the conclusion of the choreography can be agremented by more or less stylized steps or salutations, both when approaching the center and when leaving the finished labyrinth. The exit may even be accomplished by following the path of the labyrinth in some coordinated or synchronized way.